NORFOLK, Va. — Four Hampton Roads health care systems announced Wednesday they'll require employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 18.
In a press release, the health systems said the eight-week period will allow their workers to get the vaccine. The systems are:
- Chesapeake Regional Healthcare
- Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters Health System
- Riverside Health System
- Sentara Healthcare
They cited the recent spike of the Delta variant and full FDA approval of the Pfizer vaccine for their decision.
The organizations began notifying their employees of the policy on Wednesday morning.
It's a major move in the fight against COVID-19. Riverside Health System's President, Dr. Mike Dacey, said the latest data pushed this mandate into effect.
"We think it's necessary to support and help our patients to keep them safe," Dacey said. "The FDA approval was one. The rise in case counts was another. We are just seeing vertical increases in cases of people being hospitalized for it."
Sentara Healthcare and Riverside Health System representatives said they are allowing medical and religious exceptions when it comes to getting the dose. However, if a worker is not exempt and still refuses to get the vaccine, these health systems are prepared to take disciplinary action.
Dacey said employees who refuse to get the vaccine will face disciplinary actions, but won't be terminated from their positions.
Sentara Healthcare's Chief Physician Executive, Dr. Jordan Asher, said his department will have stronger disciplines.
“If they choose to opt out on getting fully vaccinated and do not meet exceptions, we do have in our present policy a progressive disciplinary process, which ultimately could lead to separation from employment," Asher said.
Asher said approximately 70% of his Sentara Healthcare employees are recorded to be fully vaccinated. Dacey said more than 75% of Riverside Health employees are fully vaccinated as well.
Neither of the doctors said they've heard much feedback yet from their workers.
Both Sentara and Riverside will allow employees to get any of the three available vaccines; however, they will prioritize the Pfizer vaccine, since it is the only one fully approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) so far.
Asher said they will provide the Pfizer shot in Sentara's internal clinics for workers.
Another health group, Bon Secours, said in a statement that it is "in agreement" with these decisions and it plans to also implement a vaccine requirement for all associates and providers in Hampton Roads.
A spokesperson for Bon Secours told 13News Now it is working on a plan for what to do if employees refuse to get vaccinated.
However, they don't have a firm deadline at this time "but it will most likely be in the fall."
Author's note: The video above is on file from Aug. 23, 2021.